Two Trick Pony

I feel like a two trick pony. I have two dishes that I can pull out and "wow" folks with. I need more. Now I can make good, basic, classic dishes, but meatloaf, although good, is far from "impressive".
When I want to "wow" I either bust out the General Tso's Chicken or my Beef and Chicken Satay. Both dishes look impressive and all fancy, and they could not be easier (I'm all about easy)
I need more dishes that can feed a crowd and look good doing it. Do you have a "wow" dish standby?? If you do, can you share it with me? Pretty please??
Extra bonus points if it a dish that won't break the bank.
Moving out of the kitchen...(at least for a while)

Today is SUNNY!!!! It is a spring tease kind of day. The kids are at BaChan's house so it is just Joj and I and I'm so temped to fight the crowds at Home Depot. I'm thinking the "dead" theme I have on my front porch isn't workin' for me anymore. I have some spring bulbs that I'm forcing (aka didn't get into the ground in time) in the garage that I would like to get into some pots and of course the obligatory pansies. I love the sun. When I was in college at CWU it was always sunny. Even in the winter. Blue skies everyday. If Boeing ever opens an office in Eburg, I'm so there. Blue skies and supermother burgers at the TAV, pure heaven.

One last note, before I'm off to be productive (in theory) The key lime pie I posted yesterday had some drawbacks. While the taste was good, the crust was not. I would suggest using a different crust recipe. This one was dry and not sweet enough. This surprised me since I doubled the sugar and butter it called for. Hmmmmm.
Anyway, I hope it is sunny where you are.
:0) Laurie

Key Lime Pie Y'all

So it is DND night and Joj wanted me to make something. We were flipping through the channels and saw Ms. Paula Deen making some Key Lime Pie. Joj decided he wanted me to make some.
Okay, I've never made it before, but the recipe looked easy enough. Can I just say that this is not a pie I think I would like. For starters, the filling has just 3 ingredients: Sweetened condensed milk, lime juice and egg yolk. That seems a little strange to me. I made Joj taste the filling and he said it was good. Is it just me or does that seem really rich? Anyway, if you like this kind of pie, here is the recipe. It took me about 15 minutes to whip up, plus and extra 10 minutes to brown the meringue.

Bubba's Key Lime Pie
Ingredients:
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup Key lime juice
2 teaspoon grated lime zest
2 eggs, separated
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 cup sugar

Directions:
Crust:
5 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup almonds, slivered

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

For the crust, combine ingredients and pat down into a 9-inch pie pan. Bake for 5-10 minutes.

In a medium bowl, combine the milk, lime juice, and 1 teaspoon zest; blend in the egg yolks. Pour the filling into the crust.

For the meringue, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the sugar and 1 teaspoon zest until the mixture is stiff. Spread the meringue over the filling; spread it to touch the edge of the crust all around. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minute, or until the meringue is golden brown.

Yield: 6-8 servings, depending on size of slices
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes

Word on the street is that my sister-in-law has an even better recipe that includes sour cream. I might just have to make that for the superbowl and let you know how it turns out.
Happy Saturday Y'all :0)

Seriously??

CLiCK ME

Seriously? The women in this video are actually having this conversation.
Now I love a good pantry, but seriously? Vignettes? Seriously?
:0)

Easy Peasy Penne Carbonara

So I made this a couple of weeks ago for Joj and his friends. It was really good and the best part it was SUPER easy. Now for those who have been reading the blog for a while (hello to all 5 of you) you know I'm all about easy. This dish easily fits into that category and as an extra bonus, it can most likely be pulled out of the pantry. Combined with about 20 minutes of work, this is a perfect midweek dindin. Another plus, and maybe it is just me, but I love leftover pasta for breakfast and this seems to make a ton so there should be leftovers.

Easy Peasy Penne Carbonara
4 slices of bacon cut up
a couple cloves of garlic minced
some chopped onion (I would say 1/2 to a whole small yellow)
1 box (1 lb) of penne pasta (I used the whole grain stuff and it tastes fine, but it is definitely more filling)
1/4 cream (you could probably use milk, but I haven't tried it)
2 egg yolks
1/2 C Parmesan
While the pasta cooks, cook bacon and don't drain the fat (if you want, you can drain off a little, but not all)
Saute the garlic and onions. If you want to add a couple hand full of chopped mushrooms and olives now would be the time to add them.
Remove sauteed stuff and set aside.
In a bowl whisk the egg yolks and cream together really well.
Once the pasta is drained return to cooking pot and pour remaining bacon fat in and toss.
While the pasta is still hot, pour the egg mixture in and mix well. The heat of the pasta will cook the egg.
Add the bacon and other sauteed stuff and toss again.
Lastly, pour in the cheese and give it one last stir.
Plate the pasta and sprinkle a little more parm on top and some black pepper.
Yummy
This makes enough for 8 decent "sides" or 4 decent "mains".
Now this isn't a super rich and gooey sauce, so you feel free to add some additional cheese if needed.
Enjoy!!

Cutie Pies

Sammie made her first Lemon Meringue Pie yesterday. She was thrilled and has enjoyed serving up slices to the family.
I am loving the size of this little pie. I have a few of these fiesta fruit bowls and I think they make the perfect sized mini pie. I might just have to experiment with these.
I hope everyone is enjoying a nice relaxing Saturday evening.
I sure am :0)

National Pie Day

Today is National Pie Day.
In honor of this, I will be making two pies for Joj's poker buddies to enjoy this evening. I used to be afraid of pie making, but my dear friend Megan shared the bestest, most foolproofest crust recipe and now I can make pie in my sleep.
I know I have posted these before, but they are worth a second look. If you have some time today (and for the pecan pie it is less than 15 minutes of prep, seriously) try your hand at some home baked pie. Your family and friends will think you are a pastry rock star.
So put on a frilly apron and a string of pearls and start baking. If you need more inspiration hop on over to Warm Pie, Happy Home and check out what RuthAnn has in the oven. I'm sure it is to die for.
Happy Friday Everyone!!
:0)


Never Fail Pie Crust
1 1/2 C shortening (I use butter flavor crisco)
3 C flour
1 t salt
Pulse in Cuisinart until size of small peas
In a small bowl mix
1 large egg well beaten
1 T vinegar
5 T ice water
Add to flour mixture and pulse until a ball forms. This is enough for one 9" 2 crust pie or 2 single crust pies.I usually roll it between to sheets of waxpaper. Much easier to handle and much less mess


Perfect Pecan Pie
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 C dark brown sugar (you could use light)
1 C light Karo Syrup
1/3 C melted butter
1 t vanilla
1 1/4 C pecans (I usually only chop 3/4 C and use the rest to decorate the top
1 9" unbaked deep dish pie crust
Preheat oven to 350
mix butter, sugar, vanilla and syrup
when cooled add eggs and mix well
add chopped nuts and pour into shell
place unchopped whole nuts on top in pretty design
bake 50-55 minutes
let stand a few hours to completely cool and set up
Serve with whipped cream or the stuff from the can we call "SHHHHHHHHH"


Best Ever Lemon Pie [Source: Ann Landers]
1 baked 9-inch pie shell
1-1/4 cups sugar
6 Tbsp cornstarch
2 cups water
1/3 cup lemon juice
3 egg yolks
1-1/2 tsp lemon extract
2 tsp vinegar
3 Tbsp butter
Mix sugar and cornstarch together in the top of a double broiler. Add the two cups of water
Combine egg yolks with lemon juice and beat until well mixed
Add to the rest of the sugar mixture
Cook over boiling water until thick, about 25 minutes. This does away with the starchy taste
Now, add the lemon extract, butter and vinegar, and stir thoroughly.
Pour mixture into deep 9-inch pie shell and let cool
Cover with meringue (recipe follows), and brown in oven
Never-Fail MeringueIngredients:
1 Tbsp cornstarch
2 Tbsp cold water
1/2 cup boiling water
3 egg whites
6 Tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
Blend cornstarch and cold water in a saucepan
Add boiling water and cook, stirring until clear and thickened
Let stand until completely cold
With electric beater at high speed, beat egg whites until foamy
Gradually add sugar, and beat until stiff but not dry
Turn mixer to low speed; add salt and vanilla
Gradually beat in cold cornstarch mixture
Turn mixer again to high again, and beat well
Spread meringue over cooled pie filling
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until top is lightly browned

Jury Duty

Today, after 3 days of trying to find enough potential jurors and sitting through hours of questioning, I was excused from the jury pool. Can't say I'm sad. It was one of those cases you knew was not going to be pleasant.

It was probably a good thing I was excused, the prosecutor reminded me of Dr. Johnny Fever. Apparently I wasn't the only one. When asked if any potential jurors had issues with his appearance, an older woman raiser her hand and said, "you look like someone who enjoys marijuana".